How close is Joe Root to breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s Test hundreds and runs record?

It was another memorable day for Joe Root as he struck his 41st Test century on Monday, inching closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most hundreds and runs in Test cricket. The former England captain, Root, scored 160 off 242 balls as England were bowled out for 384 by Tea on Day 2 of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the ongoing final Ashes Test.

Root was the only centurion for England, his second of the series, as Harry Brook and Jamie Smith failed to capitalise on strong starts. Brook made 84 in 97 balls, while Smith got out on 46 after playing a poor shot off part-time spinner Marnus Labuschagne.

The only possible audio accompaniment to a wicket that tops the pantheon of daftness...#WhyDidHeDoThat? pic.twitter.com/pcIpPGg4SV

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Nonetheless, Root has taken a big step towards equalling or surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s twin world record for most hundreds and runs in Test cricket.

Root equals Ponting’s Test centuries record

The 35-year-old Root is now joint-third in the list for batters with most Test centuries. At SCG, he equalled the record of the great Rick Ponting with his 41st Test ton.

Only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) have scored more Test centuries than Root.

Most centuries in Test matches

Sachin Tendulkar: 51 centuries in 329 innings
Jacques Kallis: 45 centuries in 280 innings
Ricky Ponting: 41 centuries in 287 innings
Joe Root: 41 centuries in 297 innings
Kumar Sangakkara: 38 centuries in 233 innings

Root now has 13,937 Test runs to his name in 163 matches. He is just 1,984 runs behind the great Tendulkar, who leads the runs-scoring standings in Tests with 15,921 runs.

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Most runs in Test matches

Considering Root is only 35, there is a high chance he could topple Tendulkar at the top of the Test run charts, but he needs at least 10 more centuries to equal Sachin’s record. He may manage to achieve that feat by the end of his career, though it would require a gargantuan effort as he grows older.